What is a Summer Vacation Without Some Good A&D Reads?

Whether you’re jet-setting or simply looking for a good read while at the park, these five recently released A&D books are ideal for brushing up on what’s new in the industry.

Understanding Green Building Materials

By Traci Rose, Stacy Glass, and Jessica McNaughton

Policies, procedures, and guidelines for sustainability constantly are re-iterated, but what about the building materials themselves? As countless new products and manufacturers are introduced, professionals want and need to know which ones rise to the top. This book summarizes the materials available, compares their pros and cons, explains how to use them properly, and outlines what to consider when making final selections. Green building products range from eco-friendly sheetrock to sustainable paint finishes, all outlined in a designer-friendly guide for those submerged in the green-build movement.

How to Write a Historic Structure Report

By David Arbogast

The compiling of a historic structure report (HSR), the document critical to preservation professionals, can be daunting. The book assists architects in gathering historical and archival data about the property, analyzing the structural, mechanical, and electrical components, and assessing the condition of its interior finishes to expertly evaluate a historic building prior to restoration. A precise outline of what information should be included in each report section and an explanation of how investigators can work together to produce an effective HSR is provided, making this guide a must-have.

Greening Modernism

By Carl Stein

A serious shortage of building resources is the result of the unfortunate belief that there is an unlimited amount available. And the assumption that technology can act as a savior for any such self-created problem has proven itself to be false. In “Greening Modernism,” Carl Stein connects the impact of individual building design decisions to the global energy and environmental crises. Essential beliefs for contemporary ecological thinking are outlined, as well as basic information, to assist practitioners and students of architecture, engineering, planning, and environmentalism in building-upgrade projects. The book is not a how-to guide but does offer data and describes the environmental benefits to reducing the demand for energy and other limited resources. Post-petroleum opportunities for architecture are also suggested.

The Architecture of Harry Weese

By Robert Bruegmann

Take a look at one of America’s most talented postwar architects, Harry Weese. With a career that covered half a century, from the 1930s to the 1980s, his significant designs included small but very creative houses, as well as large urban-scale commissions. Although European modernist Mies van der Rohe was an inspiration to Weese, most of his work resembles that of Nordic architects, such as Gunnar Asplund and Alvar Aalto. He favored natural materials, human scale, and comfort, reflecting his respect for older buildings and unexpected design decisions. Weese applied his problem-solving abilities to pieces ranging from a single piece of furniture to an entire city such as his own, Chicago.

A History of Design from the Victorian Era to the Present

By Ann Ferebee and Jeff Byles

A brief overview of the modern milestones of architecture, interior design, graphic design, product design, and photography from the Crystal Palace of 1851 to the iPhone are surveyed in this book. Ann Ferebee and Jeff Byles trace modern design across continents and cultures, emphasizing key movements and design traditions. Design’s evolution through a century and a half includes Art Nouveau’s ornamentation, the “new visions” of the Bauhaus, the rise of the International Style, and postmodernism and contemporary currents in the graphic arts and landscape architecture. The impact of technical advances of industrial design, typography, and photographic portraiture also are accounted for.

What new must-read suggestions do you have for your A&D peers? Share them in the comments below.

–Raysha Armbrustmacher

2 Comments

Nice collections remembering History…In the last concept is he explained over the interesting topics interior design, graphic design, product design, and photography from the Crystal Palace of 1851 to the iPhone are surveyed in this book.